The Opp 10U Cal Ripken All-Stars have made a strong showing in the state tournament in Florence with wins in two of three games.

 

OPP 5, 

ALEX CITY 4

Opp got the tournament kicked off the right direction with a 5-4 victory over Alex City in extra innings.

Andrew Danford picked up a single in the opening frame with one out for the Bobcats, but back-to-back strikeouts left Danford stranded at second base.

Danford was on the mound to start the game for the Bobcats and worked around a single and error in the bottom of the first to keep the score at 0-0. Danford picked up a pair of strikeouts in the inning for Opp.

The Alex City pitcher continued to work fast in the top of the second and picked up two more strikeouts in the inning. Will Boyd picked up a bunt single for Opp, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the Bobcat threat.

Alex City had their first batter of the bottom second reach off an error, Dandford responded with three straight strikeouts. A passed ball during the inning allowed Alex City to break the tie and take a 1-0 lead.

Xander Scroggins came in and pitched in relief for Opp in the bottom of the fourth inning and sat down Alex City on three straight strikeouts.

In the top of the fifth inning, DaDa Stoudimire reached on a one-out bunt single and moved up to second when Griffin Pierce drew a walk. Stoudimire advanced to third on a passed ball and then came around to score on wild pitch to knot the game up 1-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.

Scroggins sat down the Alex City batters in order in the bottom of the fifth to move the game into the final frame of regulation.

In the top of the sixth inning, Jake Coon reached on an error and then moved around to third on a line-drive single from Scroggins.

After Scroggins stole second base, a passed ball allowed Coon to score the go-ahead run and move Scroggins to third with one out.

Alex City escaped further damage with back-to-back strikeouts to end the Opp half of the sixth.

Alex City got the bottom of the sixth started with a single and then an error by the Bobcats allowed Alex City to tie the game 2-2 heading into extra innings.

Opp loaded up the bases with one-out off two walks and an error to start off the top of the seventh inning.

Coon gave Opp back the lead with a single to center that allowed Pierce and Colby Ballard to score.

Opp continued to add the pressure when Nelson Hall ripped a triple to center that put the young Bobcats on top 5-2.

Alex City rallied in the bottom of the seventh with two runs, but couldn’t keep the game going as Opp came away with a 5-4 victory.

 

OPP 11,                   DAPHNE 6

The Opp All-Stars jumped all over the Daphne All-Stars on Sunday morning in the state tournament and held on for an 11-6 victory.

Opp starting pitcher Ballard picked up a pair of strikeouts in the opening frame.

Ballard reached off an error to start the bottom of the first and then came around to score on double from Danford.

A single from Coon followed to put Connor Manchin on third, and Hall drove him in with a single to right. Coon scored on wild pitch and a bases loaded hit-by-pitch put Opp on top 4-0 after one inning of play.

Opp added two more runs in the bottom of the second to go up 6-0.

Scroggins and Will Boyd each drove in runs in the second inning for Opp.

Daphne battled back in the top of the third inning with 6 runs to tie it at 6-6.

The score remained tied until the bottom of the fourth when Opp took back over the lead.

Stoudimire drove in Scroggins with a single and then came around to score on error off the bat of Bardy Whigham.

Danford drove in Whigman with a rocket double to center. Coon followed with his own RBI double that scored Ballard and Manchin to give the young Bobcats an 11-6 lead.

Opp held off Dahpne for the final two innings to take an 11-6 victory.

 

JACKSON 17,             OPP 1

Opp was handed their first defeat at the state tournament when Jackson beat them 17-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Jackson went up big early and strong pitching kept the Bobcats off balanced.

Stoudimire drove in the Hall for the Bobcats’ lone run of the game.